O'Neil accused of tapping up Dundalk players by Connor

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26/10/2009, 11:07 AM
Rovers Maniac

O'Neil accused of tapping up Dundalk players by Connor

Sean Connor complaining about Shamrock Rovers boss tapping up his players :D,

Not saying it's not true probably is but i find it very ironic that Connor's is complaining about somebody else doing it. Remember that this is coming from a man who when he went to Bohs and tapped up or tried to tap up so many of our players and other club's players through out the league not too long ago. He was accused of tapping up Philly Hughes from his current employers Dundalk i believe. And i believe tried the same with Seamie Coleman (although he says he went to the airport just to wish Coleman good luck on his under 21 match, he tried it with Faz and above all the very same player Chris Turner.

Shamrock Rovers manager Michael O'Neill last night reacted angrily to accusations from Sean Connor that the Hoops have been 'tapping up' Dundalk players.

In his programme notes for Friday night's clash between the two teams, Connor wrote: "It's no secret that Shamrock Rovers have been sniffing around one or two of our players."

And afterwards, he claimed that the Hoops had been "phoning my players on a regular basis and asking them if they want to join Shamrock Rovers".

Former Northern Ireland U-21 international Chris Turner is among the Dundalk players rumoured to be on Rovers' wishlist.

O'Neill denied the charges, labelling them as "petty," and criticised the way in which Connor went about expressing his displeasure.

"I had a 20-minute conversation with Sean before Friday's game and I would have expected that, if he had any grievances, he would have raised them with me then.

"I'm surprised he chose to make his point to the media without saying it to me."

O'Neill added: "I've been contacted by numerous agents and third parties recently with regards to many players from different clubs.

"Obviously players see what's happening at Rovers and see that they get paid what's on their contract, which is not the case at a lot of other clubs.

"If clubs are not honouring players' contracts, or if players are having to take pay cuts, then obviously they'll become unsettled and they'll be looking at what to do about their futures."

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...s-1924339.html
26/10/2009, 11:19 AM
CSFShels

Just Sean Connor trying to deflect from a recent dip in form you'd imagine, after his programme notes earlier in the season, can't take anything he says seriously.
26/10/2009, 11:34 AM
Mr_Parker

Connor should be looking North, not South......
26/10/2009, 11:39 AM
HarpoJoyce

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Parker

Connor should be looking North, not South......

D'y'mean like O'Neill is?
26/10/2009, 1:02 PM
Ezeikial

The 'tapping up' phrase belongs to the journalist not Sean Connor.

He did say that
"It's no secret that Shamrock Rovers have been sniffing around one or two of our players."

that they had been "phoning my players on a regular basis and asking them if they want to join Shamrock Rovers".

Michael O'Neill appears to have denied that Rovers were "tapping up" or had made any direct approaches.

It's a pity the journalist didn't ask O'Neill what "tapping up" meant to him, or if Rovers had made approaches through 3rd parties (or through anyone connected to Rovers acting in a "private capacity").

It is a fact that several approaches have been made to both Chris Turner and Michael McGowan.

These players are out of contract in a fortnight, so it is hardly a big deal either way to follow the right procedures. Is any rule being broken to make approaches to a player whose contract is due to expire soon?
26/10/2009, 1:30 PM
CSFShels

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

It is a fact that several approaches have been made to both Chris Turner and Michael McGowan.

Facts can be proven with evidence, can you prove with evidence that several approaches have been made to both Chris Turner and Michael McGowan?
26/10/2009, 1:37 PM
Ezeikial

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSFShels

Facts can be proven with evidence, can you prove with evidence that several approaches have been made to both Chris Turner and Michael McGowan?

Perhaps I should re-phrase what I said. Both Chris Turner and Michael McGowan have said that they have received approaches. I believe this to be true, but accept that there is a possibility that it is a negotiation ploy.
26/10/2009, 1:38 PM
CSFShels

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

Perhaps I should re-phrase what I said. Both Chris Turner and Michael McGowan have said that they have received approaches. I believe this to be true, but accept that there is a possibility that it is a negotiation ploy.

Fair enough, would they not be dying to join Rovers though?
26/10/2009, 1:41 PM
Ezeikial

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSFShels

Fair enough, would they not be dying to join Rovers though?

Time will tell.

Chris Turner is on record as saying that he wants to stay with Dundalk next season - but the respective contract offers will naturally play a significant part in that decision.
26/10/2009, 3:09 PM
Rovers Maniac

Tapping up a player is very difficult to prove, it's just one of those things that happens, annoying when it is affecting your players. It's probably impossible to stop as well.
26/10/2009, 10:12 PM
DmanDmythDledge

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

It is a fact that several approaches have been made to both Chris Turner and Michael McGowan.

These players are out of contract in a fortnight, so it is hardly a big deal either way to follow the right procedures. Is any rule being broken to make approaches to a player whose contract is due to expire soon?

Nope, clubs are free to talk to players once there is less than 6 months remaining on their contracts.
26/10/2009, 10:48 PM
Ezeikial

Quote:

Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge

Nope, clubs are free to talk to players once there is less than 6 months remaining on their contracts.

That being the case, and assuming that they don't need the current clubs permission, this is a non-story.

No "tapping up" by Rovers, no such accusations by Connor, just a statement in the programme "that Shamrock Rovers have been sniffing around one or two of our players" and a clarification of that in a follow up question from the journalist post-match.

Why then would O'Neill have "reacted angrily" ?

Sounds to me like another bit of media manipulation and O'Neill acting the maggot.
27/10/2009, 1:22 PM
tiktok

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

It is a fact that several approaches have been made to both Chris Turner and Michael McGowan.

These players are out of contract in a fortnight, so it is hardly a big deal either way to follow the right procedures. Is any rule being broken to make approaches to a player whose contract is due to expire soon?

I might be wrong, but it's my understanding that once a player is in the final six months of his contract, people are free to talk to him about options post contract?

Edit: Should have read the whole thread before replying, DDD got there three hours ago.
27/10/2009, 2:51 PM
White Horse

There is no story here.

Connor did not allege that Rovers were "tapping" up his players. Any contact by Rovers was perfectly within the rules.

A journalist creates a sensationalist story and O'Neill foolishly swallows the bait.
27/10/2009, 6:21 PM
Mr A

Clubs can talk to players in the last 6 months of their contract, but I think they have to inform their current club.

Anyway, I'm sure it's nothing they couldn't sort out over dinner.
27/10/2009, 6:53 PM
brianw82

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr A

Clubs can talk to players in the last 6 months of their contract, but I think they have to inform their current club.

Anyway, I'm sure it's nothing they couldn't sort out over dinner.

You sir, are witty. :)